Dragon fruit plant named ‘DF2’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct dragon fruit plant is described. The variety resulted from selection among a population of seedlings derived from a controlled cross carried out in 2013 between RF (seed parent) (not patented) and ‘LD5’ (pollen parent) (not patented) located in Tien Giang, Viet Nam. The variety was selected due to its appearance, eating quality and canker tolerance.

Genus and species plant named: Hylocereus undatus.

Variety denomination: ‘DF2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The plant resulted from selection among a population of seedlings derived from a controlled cross carried out in 2013 between ‘RF’ (seed parent) (not patented) and ‘LD5’ (pollen parent) (not patented) in Tien Giang, Viet Nam. ‘DF2’ was identified in 2016 as having potential as a new variety due to its attractive fruit, good eating quality and canker tolerance. ‘DF2’ was first asexually propagated by cuttings in 2017, in Tien Giang, Viet Nam. The resulting plants were planted in clonal trials and underwent further evaluation. The plants were subsequently found to be true to type demonstrating that the characteristics of the new variety are stable and transmitted without change through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘DF2’ is characterised by its attractive medium sized fruit with medium red to purple flesh and excellent flavour; dark pink to red skin color and tolerance to canker (Neoscytalidium dimidiatum).

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by cuttings and in vitro shows that the aforementioned characteristics are true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagation.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

TABLE 1 Comparison table between female parent and candidate variety. Characteristic ‘RF’ ‘DF2’ Fruit flesh Near white, NN155D Near medium red to purple, 54A color Fruit length Short, average 78 mm Medium, average 100 mm

TABLE 2 Comparison table between male parent and candidate variety. Characteristic ‘LD5’ ‘DF2’ Stem length of segment Medium, average Long, average 764 mm 1061 mm Fruit ratio length/width Moderately Moderately elongated compressed

TABLE 3 Comparison table between commercial variety ‘LD1’ (not patented) and candidate variety. Characteristic ‘LD1’ ‘DF2’ Stem length of segment Short, average 715 mm Long, 1061 mm Fruit main color of Near red pink, 53D Near light green, middle bracts 144A Fruit width Broad, 81 mm Medium, 62 mm Young stem reddish Medium to strong Weak to medium color

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the tree, foliage and fruit of the new variety as depicted in colors as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

FIG. 1: ‘DF2’ cut fruit.

FIG. 2: ‘DF2’ whole fruit.

FIG. 3: ‘DF2’ fruit on two-year-old plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of the new variety with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Charts (R.H.S.C.C.) 2015 edition.

The specimens described were grown in Tien Giang, Viet Nam. The observations were made in the 2018-2020 season on 1-2 year-old plants.

-   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Drooping.         -   Vigour.—Strong.         -   Habit.—Climbing cactus. -   Young stem:     -   -   Reddish color.—Weak to medium intensity. -   Stem: Observation made on mature stems segment at end of year's     growth.     -   -   Shape.—Three broad thin ribs.         -   Length of segment.—Long, average 1061 mm.         -   Width.—Narrow, average 38 mm.         -   Waxiness.—Weak.         -   Texture of surface.—Smooth.         -   Distance between areoles.—Medium, average 46 mm.         -   Arch height.—Low, average 2 mm.         -   Margin of rib.—Convex.         -   Intensity of grey color of areoles.—Medium. -   Areoles and spins: Observations made on intact mature stems.     -   -   Number of spines.—Medium, average 3.         -   Spine length.—Short, average 3 mm.         -   Spine main color.—Near dark brown 200C. -   Flower bud: Observation made 17 days after flower bud burst.     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Shape at apex.—Acute.         -   Color.—Near light green 144A.         -   Length of pericarpel.—Medium, average 38 mm.         -   Width of pericarpel.—Medium, average 31 mm.         -   Length of perianth.—Short, average 25 mm. -   Flower: Observations made at full flower opening.     -   -   Intensity of red color of bract.—Medium.         -   Shape.—Bell shaped.         -   Petal color.—Near white NN155D.         -   Sepal main color.—Near light green N144D.         -   Sepal pattern of secondary color.—Edged.         -   Length of style.—Medium, average 24 mm.         -   Number of stigma lobes.—Few, average 24.         -   Color of stigma lobe.—Green 142B.         -   Position of anthers in relation to stigma.—Same level.         -   Flowering time.—Mid April; nocturnal. -   Fruit: Observations made on 5 intact fruit fully mature for     consumption 3 to 5 days after first color change.     -   -   Length.—Medium, average 100 mm.         -   Width.—Medium, average, 62 mm.         -   Weight.—Medium, average 275 g.         -   Ratio length/width.—Moderately compressed.         -   Number of bracts.—Many, average 30.         -   Length of apical bracts.—Medium, average 47 mm.         -   Position of bracts towards the peel.—Slightly held out.         -   Main color of middle bracts.—Near light green 144A.         -   Width of the base of the bracts.—Medium, average 27 mm.         -   Thickness of peel.—Medium, average 1 mm.         -   Color of peel (excluding bracts).—Near red pink 51B.         -   Color of flesh.—Near medium red to purple, 54A.         -   Sweetness.—Medium, brix 16.7.         -   Apical cavity.—Deep, average depth 24 mm.         -   Seed size.—Small to medium (average weight of 100 seeds —             137 mg, standard deviation=7 mg).         -   Harvest.—Mid May to the end of October. Harvested in the             same window as ‘LD1’ and ‘LD5’. -   Use: Fresh market.     -   -   Disease.—Tolerant to canker Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct dragon fruit plant substantially as illustrated and described herein. 